Apple Phasing Out Magic Mouse in Favor of Magic Trackpad?

[JAT]

I'm so sick of people who have become so enamored with their own fringe interest (such as working a lot with a trackpad) that they think they've found the next big thing.

Do illustration with a trackpad, do CAD, do gaming, do whatever - it's *always* slower, more IMPRECISE (oh yeah buddy, you read it right) and more inconvenient ergonomically.

I'm sorry, but there are orders of magnitude more people who need an input device for basic functions in every day computing than there are gamers, CAD users, and other graphic computer users combined.

Talk about fringe interest.

And that is why gaming mice and Wacom tablets exist.

 

[tigress666]

Right now, you need to "translate" between Lion 3-finger trackpad gestures and 2-finger Magic Mouse gestures. Why? Because the Magic Mouse is too small to reliably do 3-finger gestures.

You know what? I use my macbook pro opened up at home so I have access to the trackpad. I also have a magic mouse. So I end up using both (whichever happens to be more convenient at the time. I prefer the mouse especially when I'm just browsing but not using the keyboard but sometimes for just something quick right when I'm typing the trackpad is right there without reaching over for the mouse).

And I actually have had no problems using either or getting mixed up and trying to use three fingers on the mouse or two fingers on the trackpad for swiping or for scrolling realizing to use two fingers on the trackpad or one on the mouse. You get pretty used to different inputs for different devices. Probably the fact you hold the mouse but not the trackpad helps muscle memory with which is which.

 

[nagromme]

I have to say the Magic Mouse is the second worse mouse ever, first being the hockey puck mouse. It's the total opposite of ergonomic. The mighty mouse is not the best, but it's way better. There's a reason for the design of other mice from Logitech/Microsoft.

I would go for the Magic Trackpad anytime than the Magic Mouse. The Magic Trackpad is actually very nice.

I want Apple to do a Magic Trackball.

The trackpad IS a magic trackball: they’ve taken the ball and flattened it to be a real rectangular surface

As for Logitch/Microsoft’s mice trends: I hate “shoe mice!” Those gigantic “ergonomic” shoe-shaped (and sized!) things that are supposed to support your hand. It’s fine if others like them, but I want the weight of my hand to be on the heel of my hand and wrist, on the desk (not the mouse), so I can move the mouse with just my fingers, and not have to move my entire arm very much. Giant “shoe mice” but more weight on the mouse that’s supposed to be moving... and that means more friction and more work. And it means you’re navigating with your imprecise arm muscles instead of your precise finger muscles. I want a SMALL mouse—preferably low and flat for travel—so my hand stays off of it and I have fingertip precision. And I want touch scrolling, not a tiny ball/wheel/pad but a big scroll surface. Magic Mouse is perfect.

When not using a trackpad, I actually use a Logitech “shoe mouse” and don’t (yet) own a Magic Mouse. Why? Because I need/want a ton of buttons (7+) for playing Quake Wars, and didn’t want to buy two mice. But I’ve used a Magic Mouse other places, and I love it. I finally decided I needed to get one and stop trying to use this shoe mouse for non-gaming. Fingers crossed that I still can

P.S. I do precision graphics work all day, and I find a trackpad (Apple internal) MUCH more precise than a mouse. I don’t know why people would suggest the reverse; maybe I just use different acceleration settings or something. Trackpads USED to track badly, years ago, but (speaking for Apple anyway) they are now outstanding. And you’re moving just your actual finger, FEELING the subtle friction directly, not moving this “brick” in your hand—how could it not be more precise that a mouse? Imagine sketching with a pencil tied to a bar of soap! Now imaging sketching with a pencil tied to your finger.*

The only reasons I want a mouse are a) multi-button first-person gaming and b) comfort, because TWO pointing devices means variety, and that’s healthier than having just one. I also have a big, sideways-tilted Logitech Trackman trackball for the same reason (don’t think they make them anymore; not super precise, but comfy).

(* Me, I sketch with a BoxWave stylus on my iPad: DisplayPad app makes my iPad a second Mac monitor, so I drag a Photoshop/Illustrator window to the iPad and then I can do freehand work—not as quick to respond as a Cintiq, but a whole lot cheaper!)

 

[tigress666]

As respect for mouse vs. trackpad?

I slightly prefer the mouse but Mac's trackpads (The full ones, not the ones with buttons) are so good I don't miss a mouse much when I don't have it (on my old 2007 macbook I'd carry my magic mouse with me and use it over the trackpad. My current MBP I don't bother cause the trackpad is good enough).

I agree with some one else that it is pretty easy to be precise with the trackpad (long as it has enough room. Wasn't so easy on my 2007 mac where part of the room was taken up by the button). And honestly, I've not had too much issue dragging with the trackpad though that is definitely more imprecise than a mouse.

If I had to replace my mouse with a trackpad I think I could do it. But I do notice I still prefer the mouse when I'm at my desk (just not enough to bother taking it with me or even to bother taking my hand away from the keyboard when I'm typing. But when I don't need the keyboard much, it is nicer to use the mouse so it is at least a little better).

I'm just glad trackpads got to be the popular interface for laptops over the trackball thing (I even preferred the little nub some computers had for moving the mouse around over the trackball). I really really cannot understand some people's love of trackballs (and apparently I'm not in the minority as that technology seems to not be so common anymore).

 

[ksgant]

I don't even have to be diplomatic: you are so wrong, you make wrong look wrong.

While people can become really advanced at something really stupid, like say; making fast and precise movements with a trackpad or painting with one's toes, it it still is amazingly stupid considering that the more conventional tools - in this case a mouse and the hand, respectively - are so much better.

I'm so sick of people who have become so enamored with their own fringe interest (such as working a lot with a trackpad) that they think they've found the next big thing.

Do illustration with a trackpad, do CAD, do gaming, do whatever - it's *always* slower, more IMPRECISE (oh yeah buddy, you read it right) and more inconvenient ergonomically.

The trackpad is nothing but a compromise for the mobile devices. One would have to be seriously damaged in the head to think it is actually a replacement for a mouse!

I see, so it's your way or the highway, is that it? Just because YOU can't deal with a trackpad, therefore no one can. Yes? I see, how wonderful that you know so much about everyone else and they all must conform to your limitations.

As I said, I was sceptical of the Trackpad also, but having used it now for the past month, I've not touched my mouse. In fact, it's not even hooked up. I do illustrations...work in Photoshop all day long. Right now it's my TrackPad for regular mouse work, and of course my Wacom tablet for actual work. Sorry, neither the mouse nor the trackpad can replace a pressure-sensitive tablet.

But seriously, you need to try some decaf. Just because something doesn't work for you and you don't like or understand it, doesn't mean that people that DO like it are "damaged in the head".

Come on...

 

[jonnysods]

This is great news (just saw the update). One out of my two magic mice just died, so I'm looking to replace it. I'll wait a little longer! See what have up their sleeve...

 

[reel2reel]

The Magic Trackpad is nice but it sucks that you can't click anywhere on it, only at the 2 bottom corners.

Ummm.....tap to click?? Just turn it on. Should be the default anyway.

 

[Tonewheel]

Surely something's not right with your system.

Actually our 6 systemS and their designers all hate them. As do many others in the agency world. A simple unintended brush of the mouse and you've moved from one page to another...and that's just one issue.

 

[thebignewt]

Reading this thread makes me want to get an apple trackpad now. I always hated them on PCs mainly because I had to use 2 hands, one to point one to click. And I liked the "pencil tied to a bar of soap" analogy!

 

[Obi-Wan Kubrick]

Ummm.....tap to click?? Just turn it on. Should be the default anyway.

He means that you have to use the track pad on a solid surface such as a desk. You can't click the track pad if you rest it on your leg or sofa for example.

 

[bpaluzzi]

He means that you have to use the track pad on a solid surface such as a desk. You can't click the track pad if you rest it on your leg or sofa for example.

Tap-to-click will still work on a soft surface. Only the physical click needs a hard surface to work.

 

[Obi-Wan Kubrick]

I do a lot of work with AutoCAD and I prefer to use both a trackball and mouse together. I find it easy to zoom in and out with the mouse wheel and pan around the drawings. While I use the trackball for the rest.

 

[HyperZboy]

The 11the Commandment

And then Steve Jobs turned to Moses and said...

"THOW SHALT NOT USE A MOUSE NOR DVD BURNER!"

And it was done.

 

[MacAddict1978]

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To whoever said you must you use hands to drop and drag with the trackpad, you can enable three finger dragging in Trackpad Preferences. Sure you lose the page back function but I find that I drop-and-drag a lot more than the page back function.

This is where a mouse still makes sense for most people... gestures for the track pad are pushing a new form of sign language. Sure it's nice to have them, but it's going into over kill. "Oh sure... use 6 fingers and witchcraft and you can totally recolor that photo while rotating it and changing spaces while opening the weather ticker with your left big toe..."

I agree with several other posts. When I can touch the screen I'll be excited. A smaller lap top screen isn't bad for track pads, but desktops get to be a bit of real estate.

And sorry, Apple sucks at making mice. Sure they were kind of the first with a commercially released 1 button mouse, but Jobs needs to get over his 1 button ego already. I don't need 20 gestures, just rick click.

Apple mice also not only have been ergonomics, but quality. Mighty Mouse anyone? That dumb little ball that worked for five minutes? Precisions issues, sticky clicky... now... their mouses look sexy, but suck other wise (oh and price! Is Steve smoking crack? I'll be damned I pay $70 for an apple mouse.)

 

[JAT]

He means that you have to use the track pad on a solid surface such as a desk. You can't click the track pad if you rest it on your leg or sofa for example.

Point is, you don't need to click the trackpad, it has tap as an option. That's actually the benefit to me. While you can click on a standard mouse button regardless of surface, you can't move the mouse on your leg. The trackpad allows both, and mine are both used in conjunction with TV and other multimedia. Hence, frequently found on a couch or lap.

Apple mice also not only have been ergonomics, but quality. Mighty Mouse anyone? That dumb little ball that worked for five minutes? Precisions issues, sticky clicky... now... their mouses look sexy, but suck other wise (oh and price! Is Steve smoking crack? I'll be damned I pay $70 for an apple mouse.)

I agree about the Mighty Mouse, never had a moment's thought about using one. Or the Puck Mouse, I could hide that beneath my thumb. But see, you are applying dislike of these stupid products to others that are much more worthwhile. The Magic Mouse is too small for me, but many love it. And the Trackpad is the best input device I've ever used. (and that's without BTT)

 

[absynth]

USB version?

God i hope they finally release a wired version of the magic mouse. I cannot express how much i hate these alkaline powered wireless mouses & keyboards.

It's not like you want to use your mouse somewhere else but the wire is holding you back

 

[twoodcc]

yeah i just don't see this happening. not now anyways

 

[cwwilson]

A couple weeks ago I bought a trackpad to replace my magic mouse because the gesture controls in Lion practically demand it and the swiping isn't as sensitive on the mouse. I will admit it stinks to "drag" stuff with the trackpad but overall I like it.

If I'm kicking back in my chair I can pick up the pad and scroll around without needing it placed on the desk but I might switch back to the mouse some day. For now I just want to get my money's worth out of it.

 

[JustinDaigle]

I'm sorry, but there are orders of magnitude more people who need an input device for basic functions in every day computing than there are gamers, CAD users, and other graphic computer users combined.

Talk about fringe interest.

And that is why gaming mice and Wacom tablets exist.

Fringe interest?

Humm... a mouse is capable of fulfilling the tasks necessary for 100% of people (besides those with a disability, who probably would have to buy a special device that isn't either a mouse or a trackpad).

On the other hand, a trackpad can maybe fulfill the complete needs of 60% of people, at the most.

Why discontinue a device that works for everyone in favor of one that doesn't? Especially considering Macs are a favorite among those who do design work, and depend heavily on a device that provides accuracy?

In light of this, I originally estimated the number that could use a trackpad at 90%, but since most people don't buy a Mac if they only plan to do Facebook with it, I reduced it to 60%, considering the Mac's target demographic will generally need a precise input method.

 

[Xtremehkr]

FUD.

At lest I hope so, love my magic mouse.

 

[Burger Thing]

God i hope they finally release a wired version of the magic mouse. I cannot express how much i hate these alkaline powered wireless mouses & keyboards.

It's not like you want to use your mouse somewhere else but the wire is holding you back

Or a desktop keyboard for that matter... Totally agree with you. So much for Apple being 'green'

 

[sajaki]

i use a M$ Optical mouse

i think my Imac (2009) came with one of those white buttonless Apple mice, but i binned that and got a regular wired Pc Usb mouse. I don't see the point in the trackpad thing except for laptops.

 

[daveathall]

I want a Magic Trackpad with USB and not Bluetooth.

Why? I ask this question because I don't know the answer, what is the advantage?

 

[Heilage]

I tried the Magic Trackpad. Sold it after a few hours. Didn't work at all when working on my iMac.

I absolutely love their trackpads on the notebooks (Apple seems to be the only ones who remotely care about trackpads), but for desktop use it was horrible to me.

Logitech forever.

 

[bpaluzzi]

Fringe interest?

Humm... a mouse is capable of fulfilling the tasks necessary for 100% of people (besides those with a disability, who probably would have to buy a special device that isn't either a mouse or a trackpad).

On the other hand, a trackpad can maybe fulfill the complete needs of 60% of people, at the most.

Why discontinue a device that works for everyone in favor of one that doesn't? Especially considering Macs are a favorite among those who do design work, and depend heavily on a device that provides accuracy?

In light of this, I originally estimated the number that could use a trackpad at 90%, but since most people don't buy a Mac if they only plan to do Facebook with it, I reduced it to 60%, considering the Mac's target demographic will generally need a precise input method.

You're using it wrong. The trackpad is just as precise as a mouse, if not moreso. You just need to learn how to use it.

The only things the trackpad can't do without using gestures are:
click right and left at the same time
right-click and drag
anything with the middle click.

The percentage of people that need to do those things is ridiculously smaller than 40%, or 10% for that matter.